About Svalbard Tourism

Svalbard Reiseliv AS is a destination company located in Svalbard. The company as it appears today was established in 2001 and has three full-time employees: A Tourism Manager, a Tourism Coordinator and a Tourism Secretary.

We are responsible for the general marketing of the archipelago, including the production and distribution of tourist information materials and the operation of tourist information services throughout the year. In addition, we offer tourism statistics and assistance with the facilitation of various types of projects for the archipelago. Svalbard Reiseliv AS coordinates initiatives focused on the environment, safety and skills upgrading, and holds the responsibility for training Svalbard's guides and tour managers.

Svalbard Tourism Council
The public limited company Svalbard Reiseliv AS is wholly-owned by Svalbard Tourism Council (Svalbard Reiselivsråd), which consists of companies in Longyearbyen within tourism and tourism-related industries. We serve as the council's secretariat and executive agency.

Vision: Svalbard shall become the leading and best preserved High Arctic tourist destination in the world. This shall be accomplished through managed development in which the vulnerable nature shall serve as a starting point and area of concern.

Brief History
1992: Info-Svalbard established as a part of Svalbard Industry Development (Svalbard Næringsutvikling)
1996: Svalbard Tourism Council established with Info-Svalbard as its secretariat and executive agency
2000: Svalbard Industry Development shut down. Info-Svalbard absorbed as a section of Svalbard Community Operations (Svalbard Samfunnsdrift)
2001: Svalbard Reiselivsråd assumes the business of Info-Svalbard through the newly established company Svalbard Reiseliv AS

Guide and Tour Manager Training on Svalbard (GTMT)
GTMT is a module-based model for training front personnel, guides and tour managers in Svalbard. The purpose of this training is to strengthen the profile of the tourist destination and to increase the level of security in the production of tours. It is not mandatory to take all courses consecutively, but participants in field courses must have completed the other courses prior to attending field courses (except for Practical Guiding).

GTMT in Svalbard is conducted by Svalbard Reiseliv AS on behalf of Svalbard Tourism Council.

Guides and tour managers who have completed the necessary courses and have accumulated a certain amount of experience are eligible to apply for a Svalbard Guide License. Such Svalbard Guide Licenses may be granted in 3 different classes and require as a minimum the completion of the following prerequisites:

Svalbard Guide – Longyearbyen

Completion of the Basic Course, Service Course and Practical Guiding Course +

20 hours of effective guiding.

Day Trips - Summer
Completion of the Basic Course, Service Course, Safety Course, Weapons Course, First Aid Course and Field Course Summer + 100 hours of effective tour management/guiding outside of Longyearbyen.

Day Trips - Winter

Completion of the Basic Course, Service Course, Safety Course, Weapons Course, First Aid Course and Field Course Winter + 100 hours of effective tour management/guiding outside of Longyearbyen.

Svalbard Guide Field - Summer
Completion of Basic Course, Service Course, Safety Course, Weapons Course, First Aid Course and Field Course Summer + 20 days of tour management and 5 overnight stays in the field.

Svalbard Guide Field - Winter

Completion of Basic Course, Service Course, Safety Course, Weapons Course, First Aid Course and Field Course Winter + 20 days of tour management and 5 overnight stays in the field.